Happenings of the Chabad Lubavitch אנ"ש community of Rockland County, New York

Friday, July 8, 2016

Parsha Perspective

By Rabbi Yisroel
Shusterman

This week’s Parsha
Perspective is dedicated by Mr. Binyomin Philipson in memory of his late mother
Mrs. Ellen (Elka bas Zisel) Philipson OBM

Moshe (Moses) was
exceedingly distressed, and he said to the L-rd, "Do not accept the
offering [of Korach and his cohorts]. I have not taken a donkey from a single
one of them, and I have not harmed a single one of them." – Bamidbor
[Numbers] 16:15

Humility was one of
Moshe’s most outstanding qualities. In fact, the Torah affirms that "Moshe
was exceedingly humble, more so than any person on the face of the earth."
Yet, in this week’s Torah portion, Korach (Bamidbor [Numbers] 16:1- 18:32) when
his leadership was contested by his scholarly and prodigious cousin Korach, Moshe
responds with seemingly uncharacteristic righteous indignation. One would have
expected Moshe to turn to G‑d and say, "A-lmighty, perhaps You
should consider allowing Korach to assume my position - he is far more
qualified than me! I am more than happy to abdicate my position to the worthier
candidate!"

A proper
understanding of how the Torah views humility, as discussed at length in the
talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose 22th Yahrtzeit is observed this weekend
(Shabbat, 3 Tammuz / June 9), will
explain how Moses' reaction to Korach's uprising was not inconsistent with his
exceptional humbleness.

True humility is not
a result of an undervaluation of one's talents and accomplishments. Such is a
false humility, for it is built on a false foundation. Rather, the truly humble
individual is keenly aware of all his strengths and qualities - but
simultaneously recognizes that all these talents are G‑d-given, and
therefore do not constitute a reason to feel superior to another whom G‑d has not bequeathed
such talents. "Perhaps," the humble person thinks, "if that
person had been blessed with the same gifts, he would have accomplished the
same as me - or perhaps even more!"

Moshe recognized
that G‑d had endowed him with tremendous leadership qualities, and he
therefore absolutely rejected the notion of relinquishing his position to
anyone. This cognizance, however, did not interfere with his genuine humility
and respect for every Jew.

On a deeper level,
the person who is entirely devoted to fulfilling the will of his Creator is
naturally egoless, because he has no personal ambition - his goal is only to
further G‑d's "agenda" on this world. While
arrogance is a sense of self-importance, dedication to G‑d means realizing
that life isn't about the individual or what he wants, it's about serving a
higher purpose. Moses, despite all his greatness, of which he was keenly aware,
was a dedicated servant of G‑d. And when Korach sought to impede his
fulfillment of his divinely ordained mission in life – shepherding the Jewish
Nation – Moses responded by firing on all cylinders.

Many confuse
humility with meekness. In truth, the humble person is very driven and will not
stomach any opposition. But he is not driven by his own ego; he is driven by a
desire to implement the Divine plan.